Rocket Lab Booster Recovery: Second Attempt After May 15 Launch

Rocket Lab Prepares for Second Booster Recovery Mission

Peter Beck, CEO of Rocket Lab, recently detailed the upcoming launch scheduled for May 15th from the company’s New Zealand launch site. The Electron vehicle will transport satellites belonging to BlackSky; however, a crucial aspect of this mission extends beyond payload delivery – it involves recovering the booster stage following an ocean landing.

Booster Recovery Program Advances

This mission represents the second in a series of three planned booster recovery attempts. It forms a key component of Rocket Lab’s overarching strategy to achieve reusability for its launch systems, a feat prominently demonstrated by competitor SpaceX. The initial recovery mission, known as “Return to Sender,” achieved a successful splashdown in the Atlantic Ocean last November.

Despite reporting the initial booster’s condition as “remarkable,” Beck indicated that several upgrades to components and systems have been implemented to further enhance the booster’s resilience for the forthcoming mission.

Heat Shield and Recovery System Enhancements

A significant upgrade involves a redesigned heat shield constructed from stainless steel, replacing the original aluminum design. This new shield is engineered to withstand both the stresses of ascent and the intense heat generated during reentry. The Electron vehicle will encounter temperatures reaching up to 2400ºC during reentry, exceeding the capabilities of the initial equipment.

Furthermore, Rocket Lab is introducing the Ocean Recovery and Capture Apparatus (ORCA), a specialized system designed to facilitate the lifting of the rocket stage from the water and onto the deck of a recovery vessel. Challenging sea conditions during the November recovery presented difficulties, though the booster sustained no damage.

Reusing Recovered Components

Components salvaged from the previously recovered booster, which underwent thorough inspection and requalification, will be reused in this mission. Beck stated that this marks the beginning of a process where recovered systems can be incorporated into every subsequent launch vehicle brought back for recovery.

A Unique Approach to Reusability

Rocket Lab is pursuing a distinct path to reusability compared to SpaceX. While SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rockets utilize powered deceleration and landings, Rocket Lab’s Electron relies on passive deceleration through atmospheric drag and parachute deployment.

The size of the Electron launch vehicle dictates this approach, as Beck explained. The vehicle lacks the capacity to carry the additional fuel required for maneuvering or deceleration burns. Instead, it reenters the atmosphere engines-first, generating a substantial shockwave to manage heat distribution and protect vulnerable components.

Minimizing Payload Impact

This method results in a minimal reduction in payload capacity – approximately 10% – compared to the 30-40% reduction needed for a propulsive landing. Beck acknowledged the tight operational margins involved, emphasizing the complexity of achieving recovery through atmospheric deceleration and parachute deployment.

Future Recovery Plans and Neutron Development

The final splashdown recovery mission is planned before the end of 2021, incorporating improvements to the decelerator and a broader system upgrade. Following these missions, Rocket Lab intends to eliminate splashdown recovery altogether, aiming to retrieve the booster mid-descent via helicopter while it’s still under parachute.

Looking forward, Rocket Lab’s next-generation rocket, the Neutron, is being “designed for reusability from day one.” The Neutron will be significantly larger than the Electron and capable of launching heavier payloads into orbit. Rocket Lab anticipates constructing one Neutron rocket annually, with an initial operational fleet of four vehicles.